The electroencephalogram (EEG) as a research tool in human behavior genetics: Psychological examinations in healthy males with various inherited EEG variants

Abstract

The results of psychological examinations on 298 adult male probands with various inherited EEG variants are described. They may be summarized as follows: 1) The low-voltage (N) group scored high in intelligence tests, especially in spatial orientation. Personality scores revealed this group as 'normal', extravert, group-dependent, and not very energetic. 2) The borderline low-voltage (NG) group showed slight weakness in abstract thinking, short-time memory, and motor skills and a relatively strong tendency to have 'neurotic' complaints. Reaction time and motor skills were poor. 3) The occipital fast alpha-variants (BO) group performed very well in tests of abstract thinking and motor skills. 4) The monotonous alpha (R) group showed average performance in most intelligence scores but above-average in short-time memory and in precision under stress conditions. Personality scores indicated high spontaneous activity and toughmindedness. 5) The BG (fronto-precentral beta-group) category showed very low MMPI scores, indicating little neurotic tendency. Intelligence could be above average. 6) The diffuse beta (BD) group scored low in intelligence tests, especially in spatial orientation, and had a high error rate in tests measuring concentration and precision. Most differences were relatively small; the whole range of test scores could be found in all EEG groups.

Interpreting EEG alpha activity

“…For instance, LVEEG participants may exhibit decreased performance in tests of concentration along with reduced spontaneous activity (Vogel, et al, 1979). Vogel et al (1979) suggested that this pattern indicates poor modification and selective amplification of incoming stimuli as a result of weakened thalamocortical links. This was supported by research showing reduced amplitude short latency ERPs to visual and auditory stimuli (Vogel, 1986).…”

Developmental delay in P300 production in children at high risk for developing alcohol-related disorders

“…Thus, elucidating the factors responsible for variations in P300, particularly those that might be heritable, has been of interest given the observed association between P300 and psychopathological conditions. Overall, there is a considerable body of evidence suggesting that brain neuroelectrical activity, whether background electroencephalograms (Vogel et al 1979;Young et al 1972;Propping et al 1980;Lykken et al 1974), averaged sensory evoked responses (Buchsbaum 1974;Rust 1975), or ERP (Steinhauer et al 1987Bock 1976;Surwillo 1980;O'Connor et al 1994;van Beijsterveldt 1996) is heritable.…”

Low voltage alpha EEG phenotype is associated with reduced amplitudes of alpha event-related oscillations, increased cortical phase synchrony, and a low level of response to alcohol

“…It has been suggested that in individuals with LVEEG that alpha oscillations are not absent but rather there is insufficient synchronization of local cortical alpha rhythms for the signal to be recorded on the scalp (Anokhin et al, 1992). It has also been suggested that LVEEG is a result of weakened thalamo-cortical links leading to insufficient pacemaking activity of cortical neurons (Bazanova and Vernon, 2013; Vogel et al, 1979a, 1979b). To date no studies have recorded EROs in the alpha frequency range or evaluated phase-locking or synchronization of EROs between cortical regions specifically in individuals identified with this EEG variant, as compared to those with higher amplitude variants, in order to determine if they have a relative deficiency of neuronal synchronization.…”